English footballer John Terry found not guilty of racial abuse

By
Euronews

Former England football captain John Terry has been found not guilty of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last October.

The 31-year-old Chelsea captain had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was present at Westminster Magistrates’ Court when Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle read out his verdict to cheers from the player’s supporters.

Terry was said to be “angry and upset” over the claims.

During the four day trial, Terry had been accused of calling QPR player Anton Ferdinand a “Black” and used extreme offensive and sexual swear words.

Terry argued that he was simply repeating what he believed Ferdinand told him as the pair insulted each other during the match.

Chief magistrate Riddle told the court: “The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong.

“It is therefore possible that what he [Mr Terry] said was not intended as an insult, but rather as a challenge to what he believed had been said to him.

“In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty.”